Patrick refuses to back down from strict immigration stance

Published 11:35 am, Saturday, June 7, 2014

Photo: Paul Moseley, Associated Press

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Delegates, politicians and conventioneers migrated to Fort Worth for the annual Republican Party of Texas state convention. These are the top quotes from the event, from the high-profile figures to the rank-and-file attendees.

Delegates, politicians and conventioneers migrated to Fort Worth for the annual Republican Party of Texas state convention. These are the top quotes from the event, from the high-profile figures to the

"Less government. More fun." — Wrist bracelets being handed out to delegates Saturday the GOP state convention.

"Less government. More fun." — Wrist bracelets being handed out to delegates Saturday the GOP state convention.

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On fun

"Three days is about all of this fun that I can stand. It's time to go
home." — Tired GOP delegate Marielena Proctor of Fort Worth.

"Three days is about all of this fun that I can stand. It's time to go
home." — Tired GOP delegate Marielena Proctor of Fort Worth.

Photo: Max Faulkner, Associated Press

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On 'normal Texans'

"Normal Texans aren't here, sir. They're back home working." — GOP
conventioneer and tea party activist Jill Fenner of Tyler, chuckling
about all the discussion about "normal Texans" during the Republican
sessions. less

"Normal Texans aren't here, sir. They're back home working." — GOP
conventioneer and tea party activist Jill Fenner of Tyler, chuckling
about all the discussion about "normal Texans" during the Republican ... more

Photo: Rex C. Curry, FRE

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On sick burns

"I told my wife, 'Did you ever think in your wildest dreams, that I'd be where I am tonight?' And she said, 'Honey, you're not in my wildest dreams.'" — Sid Miller, GOP nominee for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, about the night he won the runoff. less

"I told my wife, 'Did you ever think in your wildest dreams, that I'd be where I am tonight?' And she said, 'Honey, you're not in my wildest dreams.'" — Sid Miller, GOP nominee for Texas Agriculture ... more

Photo: Tim Fischer, Photographer

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On Iran

“There was President Obama, me and the devil with hell freezing over.” — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, relating how he posed for a photo at the White House when Obama signed into a law a bill Cruz authored, barring from entry into the United States an Iranian diplomat involved in the 1979 hostage-taking of Americans in Tehran. less

“There was President Obama, me and the devil with hell freezing over.” — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, relating how he posed for a photo at the White House when Obama signed into a law a bill Cruz ... more

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On NSA snooping

“Leave your cell phones on. I want to make sure President Obama hears everything we have to say.” — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, alluding to controversial electronic snooping initiatives by the federal government. less

“Leave your cell phones on. I want to make sure President Obama hears everything we have to say.” — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, alluding to controversial electronic snooping initiatives by the federal ... more

Photo: Scott Morgan, Associated Press

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On guns

“In the great State if Texas, gun control means hitting what you’re aiming at.” — U.S. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

“In the great State if Texas, gun control means hitting what you’re aiming at.” — U.S. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

Photo: Dave Rossman, For The Houston Chronicle

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On Capitol Hill

“It’s great to be back in America.” — U.S. Sen Ted Cruz, R-Texas, explaining to cheering GOP conventioneers how he had just flown in from Washington.

“It’s great to be back in America.” — U.S. Sen Ted Cruz, R-Texas, explaining to cheering GOP conventioneers how he had just flown in from Washington.

Photo: Charles Dharapak, AP

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On the future

“I’m just enjoying the experience and making sure we’re coming out united as one.” — Houston state Sen. Dan Patrick, the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor.

“I’m just enjoying the experience and making sure we’re coming out united as one.” — Houston state Sen. Dan Patrick, the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

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On big government

“I have seen our government up close and, believe me, it’s not pretty.” — Katy state Sen. Glen Hegar, the GOP nominee for comptroller, telling the GOP convention how he will fight against waste, fraud and abuse. less

“I have seen our government up close and, believe me, it’s not pretty.” — Katy state Sen. Glen Hegar, the GOP nominee for comptroller, telling the GOP convention how he will fight against waste, fraud ... more

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On Perry's reign

"It's been a heck of a ride." — Texas outgoing GOP Gov. Rick Perry, on his 14-year run as the state's chief executive, the longest tenure in state history.

"It's been a heck of a ride." — Texas outgoing GOP Gov. Rick Perry, on his 14-year run as the state's chief executive, the longest tenure in state history.

"It's not my goal to beat the Democrats, it's my goal to crush the Democrats." — Steve Munisteri, chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, extolling the GOP faithful about Obama operatives: "We need to send them back across the northern border that we didn't secure enough." less

"It's not my goal to beat the Democrats, it's my goal to crush the Democrats." — Steve Munisteri, chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, extolling the GOP faithful about Obama operatives: "We need to send ... more

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On Democrats

"Washington Democrats think Texas is their new battleground. Texas will be their political burial ground." — Gov. Rick Perry, urging GOP state convention delegates to vote for Republicans in the November general elections. less

"Washington Democrats think Texas is their new battleground. Texas will be their political burial ground." — Gov. Rick Perry, urging GOP state convention delegates to vote for Republicans in the November ... more

" ... Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible. Amen." — State Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, after leading the pledge to the Texas flag at the opening ceremony, with a one-word amendment.

" ... Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible. Amen." — State Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, after leading the pledge to the Texas flag at the opening ceremony, with a one-word amendment.

Photo: AP

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On tea party ideas

"We need to stand our ground ... stand up for who we are. When you stand your ground, you don't lose your ground." — State Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, exhorting GOP conservatives not to modify their tea-party principles. less

"We need to stand our ground ... stand up for who we are. When you stand your ground, you don't lose your ground." — State Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, exhorting GOP conservatives not to modify their ... more

Photo: Robin Jerstad, Freelancer

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On welfare

"Nanny state politics allow good workers to sit on a sofa instead of
getting a job." — State Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, on federal welfare programs.

"Nanny state politics allow good workers to sit on a sofa instead of
getting a job." — State Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, on federal welfare programs.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News

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On animal symbolism

"I really can't get enough elephant." — Kim Blumenthal, a GOP conventioneer from Dallas, as she wore two pachyderm pins and several stickers on her red coat, and an elephant hat.

"I really can't get enough elephant." — Kim Blumenthal, a GOP conventioneer from Dallas, as she wore two pachyderm pins and several stickers on her red coat, and an elephant hat.

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On Dan Patrick

"Our lieutenant governor-elect (Dan) Patrick supports this." — A conventioneer said while addressing the GOP platform committee, even though Patrick is currently the GOP nominee and will face state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, in November. less

"Our lieutenant governor-elect (Dan) Patrick supports this." — A conventioneer said while addressing the GOP platform committee, even though Patrick is currently the GOP nominee and will face state Sen. ... more

Photo: Pat Sullivan, STF

Patrick refuses to back down from strict immigration stance

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FORT WORTH — GOP Lt. Gov. nominee Dan Patrick, facing opposition to his hard-line stance on immigration from some Republicans, on Saturday refused to back down as a possible platform fight on the issued loomed.

Patrick reiterated his calls to first secure the Texas-Mexico border, then address citizenship issues and "then deal with the people already here" — an apparent reference to the hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants currently living in the United States.

"We are not against legal immigration, we are against illegal immigration," Patrick told the cheering crowd, insisting that tens of thousands of foreign citizens in Texas illegaly are criminals.

"We must not step back from this issue . . . The Democrats will not stand for safe communities, but we will."

He then added, to loud applause and a standing ovation: "We need to send a message to (U.S. House Speaker) John Boehner that we do not want amnesty."

"The border is secured when Texas tells Washington it is secured, not when Washington tells Texas it is secured," he said.

Within hours, the Republicans' biennial state convention as expected to vote on its platform that now includes wording unacceptable to many hard-liners on the immigration issue because they believe it will encourage a guest worker program and possible amnesty for many undocumented workers now in Texas.

Though a deal was reportedly in the works Saturday morning to avoid a floor fight on the issue, Patrick's comments were seem by many delegates as a sign that his position may prevail, at least in part.

Patrick also used his morning speech to bash Democrats — the Obama Administration for overreaching their authority, Democratic gubernatorial Wendy Davis for her support of abortion rights and Leticia Van de Putte, his opponent in the November general election, for supporting principles that Republicans oppose.

"Leticia Van de Putte and Wendy Davis are the same . . . Leticia Davis and Wendy Van de Putte," he said, noting they support abortion rights, more government, higher taxes and the controversial Obamacare federal healthcare program.

Patrick also reinterated his earlier position that Democrats will not hold half the Senate's committee chairmanships if he becomes lieutenant governor. The lieutenant governor appoints Senate chairs.

At present, six Democrats chair Senate committees — half of the Democrats in the Upper Chamber. While Patrick is not giving specifics, senators say they expect that number may be cut by at least half if he wins in November.

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"I'm not going to let you down," Patrick told the cheering crowd, reminding them that he "honor God, not government" as he noted several times that he is a Christian."God has guided, provided and protected," he said. "The Lord will deliver the victory."